Elles (2011)

In the heart of Paris, Anne (Juliette Binoche), a dutiful mother of two and esteemed journalist for Elle Magazine, embarks on a journey into a world that runs parallel to her own. Tasked with penning a revealing article about student prostitution, Anne leaves her comfort zone of middle-class routine and ventures into the mysterious lives of two college students and part-time call-girls, Charlotte "Lola" (Anais Demoustier) and Alicja (Joanna Kulig). Initially, the stark contrast between the girls' occupation and her own sheltered existence leaves Anne shocked by the depths of humiliation and perversion the girls endure. Their tales of sexual encounters with married men old enough to be their fathers, men thirsting for forbidden pleasures inaccessible in their marital beds, rattle her to her core. However, as Anne delves deeper into their narratives, she begins to see a vibrant independence and audacious joy that starkly contrasts her own monotonous life. As Anne's interviews become more intimate, she finds herself captivated by the girls' stories, leading her to question her own convictions about family, money, and sex. Her once ordinary life begins to appear dull in comparison, and she finds herself fantasizing about their erotic encounters, sparking an internal revolution. Yet, despite the allure of their unorthodox lifestyle, the societal mask she has grown accustomed to wearing proves difficult to shed. In the end, Anne must grapple with the realities she's uncovered and the turmoil within herself, ultimately returning to her family and her familiar, routine life, forever changed by the experience.

Elles is a drama movie featuring Juliette Binoche and directed by Małgorzata Szumowska.

Elles is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on OVID.

It is also possible to buy Elles on Kino Now.